Thursday, August 13, 2015

Chargers Edge Cowboys 17-7

The Chargers edged the Dallas Cowboys 17-7 in Week 1 of the preseason. The team got off to a fast start by capitalizing on turnovers. The first one came in the first quarter when after driving downfield, Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden couldn’t handle the snap. The ball rolled backward 35-yards and was recovered by cornerback Patrick Robinson. The Bolts’ first team offense took the lead quickly with a six play, 33-yard drive that ended in an eight-yard touchdown by Danny Woodhead up the middle making it 7-0 San Diego. Dallas responded and knotted the score 7-7 and with 49 seconds left in the first half, the Chargers took the 14-7 lead with a 10-yard score by running backBranden Oliver.

The third quarter saw a lot of back and forth action between the two teams who traded punts on each drive. Brad Sorensen entered at quarterback for Kellen Clemens and undrafted rookie running back Dreamius Smith saw action in the backfield. In the fourth, the Chargers took it to the Dallas 33-yard line whereNick Novak came on and made a 52-yard field goal to make it 17-7 San Diego. The Cowboys got back into San Diego territory on the ensuing drive but the Chargers defense held strong preventing Dallas from converting a fourth down with just over four minutes left in the game. After the turnover on downs, running back Jahwan Edwards had a couple of strong runs to burst into Dallas territory, but Sorensen ran the clock out and the Chargers left Qualcomm victorious.

The Chargers are now 1-0 in the preseason and travel to Arizona next Saturday to take on the Cardinals.